Steel imports to the EU fell by 3% y/y in Q2 – EUROFER

Despite the decline, imports hold 25% of the market and put pressure on European producers

In Q2 2025, steel imports to the European Union fell by 3% year-on-year, continuing the decline that began at the start of the year. According to the EUROFER Economic and Steel Market Outlook Q3 report, the decline followed a slight drop in the first quarter (-0.6% y/y) and was a response to weak domestic demand and declining activity in consumer sectors.

The decline in finished product deliveries was particularly noticeable, falling by 7% y/y, particularly flat products (-9% y/y) and long products (-2% y/y). In the flat steel segment, the largest declines were in deliveries of cold-rolled coils (-23% y/y), galvanized steel (-12% y/y), and thick plate (-9% y/y).

At the same time, even amid the decline, the share of imports in apparent consumption remained at 25%, which is historically high for the EU market. This means that a quarter of the steel consumed in the bloc comes from third countries, intensifying competition for European producers.

The geographical structure of imports in Q2 2025 was as follows: Turkey (21% of the market), South Korea (12%), China (9%), Ukraine and India (8% each), and Taiwan (7%). At the same time, supplies from Turkey and Ukraine increased by 41% y/y and 44% y/y, respectively, while those from India and Japan fell sharply by 50% y/y and 40% y/y.

EUROFER notes that maintaining high import levels amid weak domestic demand exacerbates the trade deficit problem and puts additional pressure on EU steel companies. The impact of US tariffs on trade flows has not yet become apparent, but market uncertainty is growing.

Steel imports remain a key factor for the European market, even despite a gradual decline in volumes, and will determine competitive conditions in the coming quarters.

As GMK Center reported earlier, in Q1 2025, the European Union steel market showed mixed dynamics. Real steel consumption declined for the eleventh consecutive quarter, by 5.5% y-o-y. At the same time, apparent consumption grew by 2.2% y-o-y.